Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali (center) delivering his remarks at a press conference at the Presidential Office in Jakarta on Monday (February 2023, 2023). (ANTARA/Indra Arief Pribadi/uyu)

He (the President) understood it (my will) and he told me that I was allowed to focus on (revitalizing national) football…Jakarta (ANTARA) – Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali on Monday said that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has allowed him to focus on managing the development of national football.

The minister was elected as the first deputy chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) in an extraordinary congress held on February 16, 2023.

“I have personally reported (that I was selected as the PSSI deputy chairperson) to the President, and certainly, he has already known (about my election to the post)," he informed at a press conference at the Presidential Office here on Monday.

Amali said he told Widodo that he wanted to concentrate on improving national football.

"He (the President) understood it (my will) and he told me that I was allowed to focus on (revitalizing national) football, assisting Mr. Erick Thohir (who has been selected as the chairperson of PSSI)," the minister informed.

When asked whether his statement indicated that he will be stepping down as the youth and sports minister to focus on his new role, Amali refused to provide an explanation.

He left it up to the journalists attending the press conference to interpret his statement and the current situation.

"So (once again), he (the President) has allowed me to focus and concentrate on managing (national) football along with Mr. Erick Thohir, Mrs. Ratu Tisha (who has been selected as second deputy chairperson of PSSI), and Exco (the executive committee) of PSSI," he emphasized.

Earlier, before meeting with President Widodo, Amali told reporters that the question of whether he will resign from his ministerial post or not would depend on the President’s directives.

"Even if I have the will (to step down), but, ethically as the aide to the President, we must first report to the President that there was an extraordinary congress and wait for his directives,” he added.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung asked the public to wait for clarity on Amali’s position as the youth and sports minister.

Furthermore, he emphasized that all ministers in the Onward Indonesia Cabinet need to obtain permission from President Widodo if they want to become a
chairperson candidate in an organization or association outside the government.
Related news: Govt to give infrastructure support for football development: PSSI
Related news: FIFA support offers clarity over government's intervention in PSSI

Translator: Indra Pribadi, Uyu LimanEditor: Rahmad Nasution Copyright © ANTARA 2023